I have always said that I didn’t want to belong to any club that would have me as a member, however that all changed when I bought my first BMW motorcycle. Suddenly, I wanted to join a club in the hope that I could gain boundless knowledge from other beemer owners, hanging out consuming high brow cocktails and expensive hors d’ourves, while chatting about the weather in Europe. Well, it wasn’t quite as I supposed and more to the point, I was once again just another woman treading in a man’s motorcycle world, only this time at least, I was riding upon a slick BMW.

Well, why not? I got the machine, now let’s go and join the crowd that would be gathering in Salem, OR for the BMWMOA’s International Rally. There I could rub elbows with a huge number of motorcyclists and probably learn more that I’d have time to digest regarding my new brand of choice.

Ok, I hope that you got this intro was completely tongue and cheek. I have no bonfire of vanity from riding a BMW, it’s just that perception is everything, and often times BMW is perceived as a vanity brand, but anyone that has ever ridden one, is acutely aware of the well designed and beautifully manufactured motorcycle that aspires to the desire of every rider whether on or off road. These machines have ridden across Mongolia and Africa under riders with both lots and little experience and hands down have delivered. In reading Lois Pryce’s book, “Red Tape and White Knuckles”, one realizes that any motorcycle can be ridden anywhere and if you have adventure pumping through your veins, many tried and true real world excursions are often upon the back of a BMW.

So with noble intentions, I mounted my steed for a week long excursion north, into what I thought would be reasonable temperatures. Well, so much for that aspiration!

I left Carmichael hoping to meet my pal Tyler Risk and her group in southern OR. I decided to bail riding around John Day, which was my original thought, when I discovered that the temps there would probably be similar to those in the Sacramento area. I wanted to find higher elevations and some twisty roads, since I hadn’t really done any fun riding since buying the new to me R1200R. I figured, Hwy 70 would put a smile on my face as would riding one of my favorite roads Hwy 139 around Eagle Lake, just north of Susanville. Afterwards, I’d head to Klamath Lake and then take a cut off to meet Tyler in Shady Cove, OR near Crater Lake. All went as planned and I collected nothing but smiles in my helmet that day!

Hwy 70 ( I need to get over my tunnel phobia)

Eagle Lake (awesome highway!)

Quick stop for a fabulous coffee milkshake (no, it’s not very low carb…) in Adin one of the cutest towns in the area. Now tell me that bike doesn’t look tough…

Klamath Lake
Funny, when I lived here, I never considered it beautiful, but then I was a teenager, beauty was only found in boys and horses.

Riding around the west side of the lake is lovely. There was little traffic and plenty of places to stop and awe!

I arrived in Shady Cove after a brief lost moment when my GPS decided it was done for the day. I need to get another powerlet that is closer than the one already on the bike, which is on the left side of the bike under the seat. That one is perfect for heated gear but a bit too far to plug the gps. My battery obviously must need replacing as well, but regardless, I had to employ an actual paper map. Hmmmmm, i tried a side road which was a ton of fun, but didn’t really get me where I intended. Oh well, one is NEVER lost on a motorcycle and I drifted easily into the Royal Coachman Inn, in Shady Cove to Tyler’s waiting eyes!

The Royal Coachman is a most awesome place right on the Rogue River, reasonably priced, motorcycle friendly with a great restaurant next door. What’s not to like?

I loved that I was Number 1…;)

The motel grounds were exquisite.

There were both ducks and geese about.

And a few spiders…

and Spyders…

The following day, I Donna Rees aka demenshea, went on a group ride. I can’t tell you how much flack I got! CC even said, “don’t look now Donna, but you are on a group ride”. Ya…well it’s a darned special group!!

Scott Wade

Tyler

Scott’s wife Susan and CC in the background with Tyler on the right.

Scott, Sue, CC and Bill…they were a wonderful gang to hang with over the amazing Hwy 227…wow!!!

Love the bridge, but glad we didn’t have to cross it…it was hot and slick to even walk on!

After 227 we rode along the Umpqua River which supplied some gorgeous vistas.

We continued onto Coos Bay over Hwy 42 a nice cool scenic route. In Coos Bay, we stopped for lunch and another layer as the temperature difference was quite noticeable. It was there that I parted ways and was working my way back to the east and to Portland so visit my mom before the rally. I spent a couple of days in Portland and then headed to Salem on Thursday morning. The rally was already in full swing!

Hey, that’s not a beemer…but there were several of these spotted over the next few days!

I was already ooohhhing and aahhhhing…

I loved this gal’s bike!

First order of biz…to find my SherpaTed tent, in the sea of already placed tents.

Here it is, number 53 complete with dogtag and mint on my pillow. Awwwwww

Just up the way, I met a forum buddy Kelly and her husband Jay. Now how awesome!

Next I found my friend John MotoRider, arriving.

We found it necessary to get right out and wander and hustle up to some libation in our BMWMOA supplied cup.

We didn’t stick around long enough to hear this guy play or drink enough…

Loved this entire set-up…camo tent, stealth bike and sidecar.

John finally thought he found a box large enough for all my crap…oh ha ha, a girl’s gotta have room for her smile. 😉

There were plenty of bikes that had traveled the world.

I enjoyed a couple of seminars after meeting up with CC and Bill who had also split off of Tyler’s group but a couple of days after me. We were able to catch “Making the Long Ride Easier” with seatmaker Dan Webber and and awesome rider coach and Baja 1000 rider, Coach Ramey Stroud. He gave testament to Dan’s skills as he got him back in the saddle after a devastating accident that left him with a head injury and some lower body paralysis. He is now riding again, which is amazing. I adore his attitude, “Get-offs happen to all of us in one way or another, the difference is how we handle it. The trick is to keep looking ahead– setting goals and putting them on the calendar.” Bravo Coach!

We also tried to find the “Packing Light/Packing Right” seminar, but ended up in a BMW Apparel and Equipment presentation. We didn’t last long.

The evening entertainment featured Canned Heat. Now that was a blast from the past and they still know how to ROCK a crowd!

Harvey Mandel was on lead guitar.

With as much marijuana as drifted from the stage, I’d say someone in the group had a much loved Rx. The show was excellent!

Day one had come to a close…now time to test my tent.